MIDNIGHT DAYDREAM

AE: 33

Not many people have seen how Kim prepared for a battle. He is a secretive discrete creature, bound by many rituals to make his heart sure of his people and his own safety. If he can't make them before he goes out, he will make them on the journey. The rituals are longer now that he has Chay back in his life.

That is how Vegas finds him, alone in the dark of his private part of the dungeon of the mansion, kneeling with his head bow and his hand, holding incense, bound with red long cloth.

After a long silence, he acknowledges Vegas's present by mere glance. Vegas knows the devil when he looks him in the eyes, so he threads carefully.

"I'm pleading to you not to kill him. He, after all, is my best friend since childhood."

Kim doesn't say a word. He gets up and puts incense in a golden bowl and bow his whole body three times.

The silence is pressing Vegas. Kim wants The heir of the Sutivanischaks' blood bad. Knowing Kim, Ash will be most likely gone by the time Kim's eyes are on him. He is no match for Kim in combat. He is not even sure that Ash can hold Kim up for one whole minute.

"I'll owe you one if you do that, big time. Just spare his life."

Vegas can't see because Kim turns his back on him, but there is a little smirk on his lips before he answers a quiet, "Alright."

Vegas nods and exits the room. Kim turns to look at the picture of Porchay right in the middle of the altar. He presses a kiss on his thumb and transfers it to the photograph. "See you soon, my love."
***

Porchay is alone again. This time in his bedroom of the villa. He gathers his thoughts on what is going to come in just a few hours or less because of his decision.

Ash is quick. He doesn't ask anymore questions or even talk to Chay to consider, out of courtesy. No. The guy just grasps the opportunity that Chay has given him and runs with it.

He called a guy, a designer or some sort, to come and take their measurements the next few hours after the conversation. Even if this is a rush wedding, they still need to look their best. "For the pictures," he said with a gentle smile. Chay just nodded. He was okay with everything Ash arranged.

The guy looked between scared and excited. Very odd. Chay guessed that Ash had threatened him with his life beside the handsome pay. Kim wouldn't even bother, he thought. The guy already knows what his family name carried: an open threat of that guy's life and his whole three generations of household.

"I can't make it from scratch if you insist on the timeline," the guy said. "But I do have some new ones. They only need altering." He laid them on for Ash to look. The suits were handsome. Even with Chay's commoner eyes, he knew they were expensive.

"How long?" Ash asked. "Two-three hours, I guess." Ash nodded, approving. Chay gave him a polite smile on his way out.

Then Ash said he had to go to fetch the bikkhu himself, stating it wasn't polite to do it on the phone or ask one of his men to do the job. Chay welcomed the lone time.

He needs this solitude to sort the mess in his head. He doesn't even want to know whether this decision is good or not. Ash can't be worse than Kim. If the London time can be an indication, the guy will dote and spoil him even.

Kim will surely go after Ash.

That is where his heart weavers. Will Ash be strong enough for that? Or will he be a widow after a few months of being married?

Ash seems confident. He has reasons. Reasonable ones. He is just as rich, also has his own power, and his family name is no joke too. That is a relief, yes.